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Day’s Best in the N.F.L.

The Chiefs found the end zone often against the Redskins, but for much of the game, it seemed as if they did not need their offense to do it. In the second quarter, Dexter McCluster took a punt 74 yards for a score. After Washington scored what would be its only touchdown, Quintin Demps ran back the kickoff 95 yards, the Chiefs’ 10th return touchdown this season. Derrick Johnson also set up an early score with a 40-yard interception return, and Kansas City rolled up a stunning 321 return yards in the first half alone.

Andy Dalton, who was named the A.F.C.’s top offensive player for October but had not had a consistent game since, threw for three touchdowns and ran for another against the Colts, helping the Bengals stay two games ahead of the Ravens in the A.F.C. North. Dalton also avoided being sacked or intercepted.

The Broncos’ Matt Prater kicked a 64-yard field goal on the final play of the first half against the Titans, breaking the N.F.L. record of 63 yards, set by Tom Dempsey in 1970 and tied three times.

Injury Report

The Vikings’ Adrian Peterson left in the second quarter against the Ravens and was to have a magnetic resonance imaging test. Peterson called the injury a “midfoot sprain” and said he did not expect it to end his season. ... Broncos receiver Wes Welker sustained a concussion, his second in four weeks, in the second quarter against the Titans. ... The Patriots lost tight end Rob Gronkowski to a potentially serious knee injury in the third quarter against the Browns. ... The Cardinals rookie safety Tyrann Mathieu sustained what Coach Bruce Arians said “appears to be an A.C.L.” injury in the third quarter against the Rams. Mathieu’s knee buckled as he jogged toward the bench.

Although Dallas is 11-15 in December when Tony Romo starts at quarterback, even the most ardent believers in astrological charts would have to chalk that up largely to coincidence. That being said, Chicago’s defense has a knack for forcing big turnovers. The Cowboys’ best play would be to put the ball in DeMarco Murray’s hands and let him carry them to victory against a rushing defense ranked last in the N.F.L. with 153.6 yards allowed a game.